The result came about as National and ACT opposed the Bill and the Maori Party only had two votes to cast in favour.

The Bill was intended to “ban the possession, use, sale, manufacture, testing and transit of uranium in all conventional munitions and armour within New Zealand and by agents of the New Zealand government”.

John Hayes said National would not support the bill as it would make New Zealand troop criminals if they served overseas as fighting soldiers or peacekeepers when they operated with other countries that did use depleted uranium.

Phil Goff said Hayes was putting up a straw man argument and the bill would not have that effect.

Child poverty and Pike River dominate first Question Time for ill English as prime minister, sitting in the National frontbench seat formerly occupied by John ey. First bill put up for debate by Mister English’s National-led Government is the Children, Young Persons and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation ill which passes its first reading by […] Read More...

Extended version of the Week in Parliament with Hinaya Ahu and Tom Frewen. Extra reports include the Speaker’a response to New Zealand First’s questions about the “Parliamentary Palace” and the first reading of a bill that would transfer responsibility for decisions on fluoridating local water supplies from territorial authorities to District Health oards. Read More...